The Orioles' week in review

So, what did I miss?

I’m using open-heart valve-replacement surgery as a convenient, albeit painful, excuse for being so far behind on transactions and other news. It’s also why I’m resting after every sentence that I’m typing.

A quick but heartfelt thank you to everyone who cared for me at Sinai Hospital, beginning with Dr. Peter Cho, who removed my faulty valve and gave me one from a cow. I just hope that one day I get to meet its family and show my appreciation.

My gratitude extends to Woodholme Cardiology’s Dr. Jonathan Rogers and Dr. Charles Cummings, who remained patient as the Orioles dictated when I could schedule pre-surgery appointments and the actual procedure. They were skilled and tremendous comforts. And everyone at Sinai who gathered after the surgery and yelled at me to “breathe!”

Can’t remove the tube unless you’re breathing on your own, and that’s solid advice in any situation.

Dr. Donnell James is my physician at BW Primary Care in Eldersburg. He noticed the irregularity in my EKG back in April and advised me to make the appointment with a cardiologist. He also told me a few years ago, “Lifting weights is nice but cardio is going to keep you alive.” One day I may just take his advice.

The nurses propped me up physically and emotionally. One of them expressed concern that my "aura" changed after I learned that I had to stay an extra night to get my heartbeat in proper rhythm.

My wife Emily got up early each morning to make the drive to Sinai and insisted on staying with me until everyone gathered and yelled “go home!” She sat with me, she worked on her laptop, she ate her meals there – bravely ordering the sushi twice - and she helped me with tasks that would have made others question their life decisions or just run out in the parking lot screaming.

It’s true what my family said many years ago – Em is a gem. I don’t get through this ordeal without her.

Thanks for your patience over three days without a fresh article. My plan Saturday was to get settled on the couch, open my laptop and write for the next day. Instead, I slept for at least two hours and drooled so heavily on my pillows that the living room was a flood zone.

The Orioles made the anticipated $21.05 million qualifying offers Monday to Corbin Burnes and Anthony Santander and can receive draft pick compensation. That’s why you do it.

The 40-man roster underwent further changes with pitcher Matt Bowman electing free agency rather than accepting an outright assignment and the Orioles claiming catcher René Pinto off waivers from the Rays and right-hander Thaddeus Ward from the Nationals. Pinto joins Adley Rutschman and Blake Hunt as 40-man catchers. David Bañuelos stayed in the organization on a minor league deal.

The roster holds 37 players after the Orioles picked up the 2025 options on relievers Seranthony Domínguez and Cionel Pérez and first baseman Ryan O’Hearn but declined the option on left-hander Danny Coulombe. And this is where I’ve offered my first guarantee that didn’t live up to the hype.

Coulombe seemed like a lock. The news could have been used as anesthesia.

This is a high-leverage lefty with equal impressive splits. And his second elbow surgery was to remove bone chips, not another ligament repair. But he’s 35 and the Orioles must love their lefty depth with Pérez, Keegan Akin, Gregory Soto and now Luis González, whose contract was selected Monday from Triple-A Norfolk.

González isn’t a kid at 32 and the Orioles signed him as a free agent back in 2013 before he joined the Giants organization in 2021 and returned in October 2023. He posted a 4.50 ERA and 1.110 WHIP this year in 44 appearances with Norfolk. Here’s where it gets impressive: He walked 12 batters and struck out 71 in 60 innings.

The Orioles could try to re-sign Coulombe for less than the $4 million on his option or wish him the best and thank him for the 2.56 ERA and 0.951 WHIP in 94 games. Lots of clutch outs in his two seasons. And one of the best media guys in that clubhouse.

Executive vice president/general manager Mike Elias explained the Coulombe decision with MLB.com at the GM Meetings in San Antonio.

“I think that’s being a GM,” he said. “It’s really hard, whether it’s players or just taking care of the organization as a whole. The nature of baseball is that everything’s constantly changing and there are only so many spots. And you have to balance who you have and what their role is and where they go. You develop tremendous affection working with people, and they do great things for you. But you make decisions about the future while respecting what people did.

I shared a post Tuesday from ICU that former co-hitting coach Ryan Fuller had accepted a job as White Sox director of hitting. Fuller was granted permission to seek other opportunities prior to his contract expiring on Oct. 31, and I’ve heard that two other teams made offers before he signed on with Chicago.

Matt Borgschulte, the other co-hitting coach in 2024, was offered a new contract with a nice raise but also had permission to speak with other teams. I heard that the Cardinals showed interest, but he returned to the Twins organization as hitting coach.

The Athletics’ Ken Rosenthal reported Tuesday that the Orioles reached out to David Ross about the bench coach job. Manager Brandon Hyde was a Cubs coach when Ross played and they’re close friends. It makes sense.

There’s also the usual collection of rumored interest. The Orioles have it in left-hander Max Fried and outfielder Teoscar Hernández. And the door isn't slammed shut on Burnes.

The minor league free agent list includes the following Orioles:

Pitchers Nick Anderson, Nolan Hoffman, Adrian Houser, Matt Krook, Cooper McKeehan, Nick Vespi and Bruce Zimmermann; first baseman Garrett Cooper, second baseman Terrin Vavra, shortstop Niko Goodrum, third baseman J.D. Davis and outfielder Forrest Wall.

Anderson sustained an Achilles injury while working out with Norfolk. His velocity and the data on his other stuff impressed and there should be a nice market for him.

Zimmermann is the Baltimore native who got the chance to pitch for his hometown team. Can't take that away from him.